2 months home!

Last Thursday marked 2 months home for Lina!! Woooohoooooo!!  She continues to thrive and bring smiles to our faces daily!  We were extremely busy last week with our Down syndrome camp- you can read all about it HERE and HERE- make sure you read both parts- LOTS of pictures!!  Lina did extremely well, especially with all the animals they had on different days!  It was funny though- as camp progressed, she grew a little more clingy to me each day. By the last day she didn't want me out of sight at all!  She had fun, got to know her buddy, though did begin pressing more and more buttons as the week went on.  She tried to bolt several times, refused to put her shoes back on after the bounce house- little things that mama had to put her foot down on.  We have found that Lina needs firm and consistent discipline.  No, she doesn't need time outs very often, but there need to be clear boundaries, and if she needs correcting it must be done immediately and with a firm voice and stance.  If you are too "nice" about it and are too much of a push over she will walk all over you.  I truly believe she craves the firm boundaries and feels more safe when rules are enforced, and I'm wondering if that is why she became more and more clingy to me as the week went on.  Her buddy was super sweet though, had the patience of a saint, and didn't mind chasing after Lina countless times! :)

Another little update- my friend adopting from Pskov is at Lina's former baby house right now and hand delivered my letter and photos!! She reported back that the director was "so happy" and received my e-mail- hoping she will reply back! :)  Also, tomorrow Marina will be bringing the items purchased from our donation to the baby house in need.  She will bring along photos of our family so they can see who the donations are from. :)  Marina also received a heavy box full of donations from the mama visiting Lina's former baby house- a group of families who also adopted from Pskov sent Walmart gift cards to this mama to purchase items the orphanage needs and handed them off to Marina to be delivered.  She agreed to do this again on her next trip(s) over, but instead will bring cash with her to purchase items in country since it was pricey to bring an extra box on the plane.  I will keep you all posted if you care to donate- and I plan on coordinating a giveaway to raise money also.  If you have any items or gift cards you'd like to donate to the giveaway please let me know! :)

Medical updates- Lina had her appointment with the pediatric opthalmologist and received the all clear.  Doctor said she is far sighted but does not require glasses at this time. He had me worried since he put the little metal frames on her and was putting different lenses in for her to look through- I thought for sure she was getting glasses!  We also heard back from the endocrinologist and Lina does need to begin thyroid medication.  She goes back in a few months for more bloodwork and a follow up appointment to see how she's responding to the medication.

Lina also had her first dentist visit last week (told you we were busy ;) ) and Dr. Kevin was most impressed! She has little to no tartar buildup and no signs of decay!  He didn't do anything more than look in her mouth at this first visit since it was all new to her etc, but she will go back in a few months to attempt her first cleaning. :)

That's about all for now- catch ya on the flip side!